Electrical lighting and heating modules, assemblies and scent warmers comprising such modules, and related methods

ABSTRACT

Modular assemblies for use with a scent warmer configured to heat a scented material and emit light comprise a lighting module and a heating module. The lighting module comprises at least one electrical light source. A male electrical connector is in electrical communication with and disposed on a first side of the at least one electrical light source. A female electrical connector is disposed on another side of the at least one electrical light source and in electrical communication with the male electrical connector. The heating module comprises a male electrical connector threadedly engaged and in electrical communication with the female electrical connector of the lighting module. A heating element is located at an end of the heating module opposing the male electrical connector and in electrical communication with the male electrical connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/160,842, filed Jun. 15, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,772,675, issuedJul. 8, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein inits entirety by this reference. The subject matter of this applicationis also related to the subject matter of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/092,697, which was filed Apr. 22, 2011 and isentitled “Scent Warmers Having Non-Incandescent Heating and LightEmitting Devices and Related Methods” and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/160,790, filed Jun. 15, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,878,102, issuedNov. 11, 2014, which is entitled “Base Structures, Scent WarmersIncluding Such Base Structures, and Related Methods,” the disclosure ofeach of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

FIELD

Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to scent warmers. Moreparticularly, embodiments of the disclosure relate to scent warmersincluding lighting modules and heating modules.

BACKGROUND

For many years, candles made from scented wax have been used to createan aroma in a surrounding area. Traditionally, candles include a wickthat may be lit by a flame. The burning wick melts the wax near the wickand pulls the liquid wax, along with the scents included in the wax, upinto the wick by capillary action or absorption. The flame burns thescented wax, and an aroma is released into the area surrounding thecandle. The flame of the traditional candle also produces light, whichis often regarded as desirable for creating a pleasing ambience or forproviding energy efficient light, for example. While light and an aromaare produced by candles, traditional candles produce some risks andhazards, including a risk of burns, fires, and smoke.

Recently, scent warmers have been used, as an alternative to candles, toheat scented wax or scented oil. Scent warmers are often referred to asflameless candles or wickless candles. Some scent warmers release thearoma from the scented wax or oil without the use of a flame. Forexample, scent warmers may include a base that houses an incandescentlight bulb acting as a heat source. The incandescent light bulb ispositioned inside the base under a plate holding the scented wax or oil.The incandescent light bulb heats the bottom of the plate primarilythrough radiation and convection. The plate, in turn, heats the wax oroil, thus releasing the scent into the surrounding area by increasingthe rate of evaporation or dissipation of the scented material. Suchscent warmers are generally safer than traditional candles because ofthe absence of a flame. However, incandescent light bulbs are generallyseen as inefficient and may include their own disadvantages. Forexample, incandescent bulbs may need frequent replacement, adding to thecost of operating the scent warmer.

Other scent warmers use a resistive heating element, rather than anincandescent light bulb, to heat scented wax or oil. Such scent warmersmay include a plate for holding scented wax or oil with a resistiveheating element attached to the bottom of the plate. The heating elementheats the plate primarily by conduction, and the plate transfers theheat to the scented wax or oil, thereby releasing an aroma into thesurrounding area. However, such scent warmers do not produce light.

Still other scent warmers, such as those disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/092,697, which was filed Apr. 22, 2011 and isentitled “Scent Warmers Having Non-Incandescent Heating and LightEmitting Devices and Related Methods,” may produce light by includinglight sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) or compactfluorescent lamps (CFLs) within a base, which may include holes,translucent portions, or transparent portions that allow light to passfrom the base interior to the base exterior.

The constituent parts of any of the foregoing scent warmers, however,may not be easily accessible or removable, which may increase thedifficulty or complexity of replacing such constituent parts of thescent warmers when those constituent parts are defective, are broken, orhave exceeded their useful life.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention,various features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure may bemore readily ascertained from the following description of embodimentsof the disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lighting module that may be used witha scent warmer;

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the lighting module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an assembly of electrical lightsources that may be used with the lighting module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view from below the assembly of electrical lightsources of FIG. 3 depicting circuitry that may be used with the assemblyof electrical light sources;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of a circuit that may be used with theassembly of electrical light sources of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a heating module that may beused with a scent warmer;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heating module shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view an assembly of the lighting module ofFIGS. 1 and 2 with the heating module of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 depicts simplified a cross-sectional view of a scent warmer; and

FIG. 11 illustrates simplified a cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of a scent warmer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views ofany particular scent warmer, module for use with a scent warmer, orcomponents or portions thereof, but are merely idealized representationsthat are employed to describe certain disclosed embodiments. Thus, thedrawings are not necessarily to scale and relative dimensions may havebeen exagaerated for the sake of clarity or simplicity. Additionally,elements common between figures may retain the same or similar numericaldesignation.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to scent warmers. Moreparticularly, embodiments of the disclosure relate to scent warmersincluding lighting modules and heating modules that may facilitatesimple and easy assembly of scent warmers and replacement of lightingand heating modules for use with scent warmers.

As used herein, any directional term (e.g., upper, lower, over, under,side, top, bottom, etc.) refers to a direction relative to the devicewhen the device is used during normal operation. By way of non-limitingexample, an upper portion of a scent warmer is the upper portion whilethe scent warmer is in an orientation for use, and used to warm scentedmaterial.

As used herein, the term “module” means and includes any independentlyoperable unit that may be a part of an overall structure of an assembly.For example, a module may include a unit for providing light, a unit forproviding heat, or a unit for providing both light and heat in a scentwarmer assembly.

As used herein, the term “translucent” means and includes any materialthat exhibits less than 100% opacity. In other words, a translucentmaterial permits at least some light to pass therethrough. For example,a translucent material may transmit and diffuse light so that objectscannot be seen clearly therethrough or may be completely transparent tovisible light (i.e., transmitting light without appreciable scattering)so that objects can be seen clearly therethrough.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a perspective view and a cross-sectionalview of a lighting module 10 that may be used with a scent warmer areshown, respectively. The lighting module 10 comprises a male threadedelectrical connector 12. The male threaded electrical connector 12 maybe disposed at a lower portion of the lighting module 10. Thus, thelighting module 10 may be configured for threaded engagement with afemale threaded electrical connector disposed below the lighting module10. The male threaded electrical connector 12 may comprise at least onehelically extending protrusion 14 configured to threadedly engage andelectrically communicate with a female threaded electrical connector andat least one contact 16 configured to electrically communicate with acontact of the female threaded electrical connector to form a closedelectrical path. At least a portion of the male threaded electricalconnector 12 may comprise an electrically conductive material and may beconfigured to receive electrical power from an electrical power source.

The male threaded electrical connector 12 may comprise a male Edisonscrew fitting. Standards for Edison screw fittings may be obtained, forexample, from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Edisonscrew fittings may specifically conform to ANSI Standard C81.61-2009,which sets forth specifications for bases or caps for electric lamps.Generally, Edison screw fittings comprise a right-hand threading thatforms one of the contacts for a circuit and a bottom center portion thatforms the other contact to close the circuit. By way of example, themale threaded electrical connector 12 may comprise a standard E5, E5.5,E10, E11, E12, E14, E17, E26, E27, E39, or E40 Edison screw fitting,where the numbers following “E” may correspond to the diameter of theEdison screw fitting in millimeters. As a specific, nonlimiting example,the male threaded electrical connector 12 may comprise a standard E11Edison screw fitting, which may correspond to a standard candelabra sizeEdison screw fitting as used in Europe. As another specific, nonlimitingexample, the male threaded electrical connector 12 may comprise astandard E27, also known in the art as a standard “ES,” Edison screwfitting, which may correspond to a medium, or standard size, light bulbEdison screw fitting as used in Europe.

The lighting module 10 may further comprise a female threaded electricalconnector 18. The female threaded electrical connector 18 may bedisposed at an upper portion of the lighting module 10. Thus, thelighting module 10 may be configured to receive a male threadedelectrical connector from above the lighting module 10. The femalethreaded electrical connector 18 may comprise at least one helicallyextending recess 20 configured to threadedly engage and electricallycommunicate with a male threaded electrical connector and at least onecontact 22 configured to communicate with a contact of the male threadedelectrical connector 12 to form a closed electrical path. At least aportion of the female threaded electrical connector 18 may comprise anelectrically conductive material and may be in electrical communicationwith the male threaded electrical connector 12. For example, apass-through electrical connection may provide electrical communicationbetween the male threaded electrical connector 12 and the femalethreaded electrical connector 18. Thus, a single power source mayprovide electrical power to both the male threaded electrical connector12 and the female threaded electrical connector 18.

The female threaded electrical connector 18 may comprise a female Edisonscrew fitting. As a specific, nonlimiting example, the female threadedelectrical connector 18 may comprise a standard E11 Edison screwfitting, which may correspond to a standard candelabra size Edison screwfitting as used in Europe. As another specific, nonlimiting example, thefemale threaded electrical connector 18 may comprise a standard E27,also known in the art as a standard “ES,” Edison screw fitting, whichmay correspond to a medium, or standard size, light bulb Edison screwfitting as used in Europe. The female threaded electrical connector 18may comprise the same size Edison screw fitting as the male threadedelectrical connector 12 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, thefemale threaded electrical connector 18 may comprise a different sizeEdison screw fitting from the male threaded electrical connector 12.

The lighting module 10 may comprise at least one electrical light source24 interposed between the male threaded electrical connector 12 and thefemale threaded electrical connector 18. Thus, the male threadedelectrical connector 12 may be disposed on a first, lower side of theelectrical light source 24, and the female threaded electrical connector18 may be disposed on another, upper side of the electrical light source24 opposing the first, lower side on which the male threaded electricalconnector 12 is disposed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality ofelectrical light sources 24 may be disposed in an array between the malethreaded electrical connector 12 and the female threaded electricalconnector 18. For example, four electrical light sources 24 may bedistributed in a substantially uniformly spaced array around a peripheryof the lighting module 10. The electrical light sources 24 may be inelectrical communication with the male threaded electrical connector 12.For example, a pass-through electrical connection may provide electricalcommunication between the male threaded electrical connector 12 and theelectrical light sources 24. Thus, a single power source may provideelectrical power to the male threaded electrical connector 12, thefemale threaded electrical connector 18, and the electrical lightsources 24.

The lighting module 10 may include a cover member 26. The cover member26 may be used to structurally connect the male threaded electricalconnector 12 to the female threaded electrical connector 18. The covermember 26 may comprise an at least substantially hollow member thatdefines an inner cavity in which the electrical light sources 24 may bedisposed. At least a portion of the cover member 26 may comprise atranslucent material. By way of example, the cover member 26 maycomprise a translucent polymer material. Accordingly, at least somelight emitted by the electrical light sources 24 may pass through thecover member 26. The cover member 26 may be transparent in someembodiments. In other embodiments, the cover member 26 may diffuse lightemitted by the electrical light sources 24 such that only some of thelight passes through the cover member 26. The cover member 26 may alsoinclude holes formed therethrough, which may enable light emitted by theelectrical light sources 24 to pass from the internal cavity of thecover member 26 to an exterior of the cover member 26. The translucentmaterial of the cover member 26 may be colored in some embodiments. Forexample, the translucent material of the cover member 26 may absorb atleast some wavelengths of visible light while permitting otherwavelengths of light to pass through, thereby imparting a desired hue tothe light that passes through the cover member 26. In other embodiments,the translucent material of the cover member 26 may be patterned withopaque designs, or with two or more colors of translucent material.

Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of an assembly 28 of electricallight sources 24 that may be used with the lighting module 10 of FIG. 1is shown. The electrical light sources 24 may be provided in an array ona carrier substrate 30, such as, for example, a printed circuit board,which may structurally connect and support the electrical light sources24. The electrical light sources 24 may be filamentless in someembodiments. For example, the electrical light sources 24 may compriselight emitting diodes (LEDs), compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), orelectroluminescent devices (e.g., powder phosphor-basedelectroluminescent devices). In other embodiments, the electrical lightsources 24 may comprise a filament light source, such as, for example,an incandescent lamp. In embodiments where the electrical light sources24 comprise LEDs, the electrical light sources 24 may comprisesingle-colored LEDs or LEDs of a design capable of changing color. Forexample, the electrical light sources 24 may comprise an array of LEDscapable of emitting red, green, and blue light, alone or in combinationwith one another, sometime referred to as “RGB LEDs.” Thus, theelectrical light sources 24, the cover member 26 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), orboth may act to impart a hue to light emitted by the lighting module 10(see FIGS. 1 and 2).

Referring to FIG. 4, a plan view from below the assembly 28 ofelectrical light sources 24 of FIG. 3 depicts circuitry that may be usedwith the assembly of electrical light sources. The carrier substrate 30may comprise an electrically conductive material configured toelectrically communicate with the male threaded electrical connector 12of a lighting module 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and with the electricallight sources 24. For example, the carrier substrate 30 may includemetal traces 32 disposed on a surface thereof in electricalcommunication with the electrical light sources 24 and configured toelectrically communicate with the male threaded electrical connector 12of a lighting module 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The carrier substrate 30may also comprise circuitry 34 configured to control at least one ofintensity, flickering, and coloring of visible light emitted by theelectrical light sources 24. For example, the carrier substrate 30 maycomprise circuitry 34 in electrical communication with the electricallight sources 24 via the traces 32 that may be configured to change atleast one of intensity, flickering, and coloring of electrical lightsources 24 comprising LEDs in response to a user input. In addition orin the alternative, the circuitry 34 may be configured to convertAlternating Current (AC) electrical power to Direct Current (DC)electrical power, such a circuit being known in the art as an ACrectifier circuit. As a specific, nonlimiting example, the circuitry 34may enable a user to selectively change the electrical light sources 24from emitting substantially constant white light of a first intensity toemitting flickering yellow light of a second, dimmer intensity. Inanother non-limiting example, circuitry 34 may comprise one or morepower conversion modules to reduce household power (e.g., current) inputto electrical light sources 24, or to female threaded electricalconnector 18, or both, as desired.

Referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of a circuit diagram of a circuit 34that may be used with the assembly 28 of electrical light sources 24 ofFIG. 3 is shown. As depicted, the circuit 34 may comprise a fuse 35configured to prevent excessive and potentially damaging current levelsfrom flowing through the circuit 34, for example, to electrical lightsources 24. For example, the fuse 35 may comprise a 200 mA fuse. Thecircuit 34 may also comprise a parallel resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit37. For example, the parallel RC circuit 37 may comprise resistorshaving a total resistance of 660 kΩ in parallel with capacitors having atotal capacitance of 0.33 μF. The capacitor in the parallel RC circuit37 may diminish the amplitude and fluctuation of current (e.g.,fluctuation of direct current, fluctuation of alternating current, orsimply high amplitude portions of alternating current) flowing throughthe circuit 34, while the resistors may enable the capacitor todischarge after the circuit 34 has been disconnected from an electricalpower source. Additional resistors, capacitors, and other electricalcomponents may be used, as needed or desired. The circuit 34 may includea diode bridge 39 configured to provide the same polarity outputregardless of the polarity of input to the circuit 34. By including areservoir capacitor 41 in parallel with the electrical light sources 24,the circuit 34 may act as an AC rectifier due to the smoothing providedby the reservoir capacitor 41 in connection with the diode bridge 39.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a perspective view and a cross-sectionalview of a heating module 36 that may be used with a scent warmer areshown, respectively. The heating module 36 may comprise a male threadedelectrical connector 38 configured for threaded engagement with a femalethreaded electrical connector 18 of a lighting module 10 (see FIGS. 1and 2). The male threaded electrical connector 38 may be disposed at alower portion of the heating module 10. The male threaded electricalconnector 12 may comprise at least one helically extending protrusion 40configured to threadedly engage and electrically communicate with thehelically extending recess 20 of a female threaded electrical connector18 and at least one contact 42 configured to electrically communicatewith the contact 22 of the female threaded electrical connector 18 (seeFIGS. 1 and 2) to form a closed electrical path. At least a portion ofthe male threaded electrical connector 38 may comprise an electricallyconductive material and may be configured to receive electrical powerfrom the female threaded electrical connector 18 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The male threaded electrical connector 38 may comprise a male Edisonscrew fitting. As a specific, nonlimiting example, the male threadedelectrical connector 38 may comprise a standard E11 Edison screwfitting, which may correspond to a standard candelabra size Edison screwfitting as used in Europe. As another specific, nonlimiting example, themale threaded electrical connector 38 may comprise a standard E27, alsoknown in the art as a standard “ES,” Edison screw fitting, which maycorrespond to a medium, or standard, size light bulb Edison screwfitting as used in Europe. The male threaded electrical connector 38 maycomprise the same size Edison screw fitting as the female threadedelectrical connector 18 of a lighting module 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).Thus, the heating module 36 may be configured for mechanical andelectrical connection to a lighting module 10 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The heating module 36 may comprise a heating element 44. The heatingelement 44 may be disposed at an upper portion of the heating module 36above the male threaded electrical connector 38. Thus, the heatingelement 44 may be located at an end of the heating module 36 opposingthe male threaded electrical connector 38. The heating element 44 may beelectrically connected to the male threaded electrical connector 38 andconfigured to receive electrical power therefrom. The heating element 44may comprise, for example, a resistive element (e.g., a ceramic elementor a filament-type element), an infrared element, a Peltier-typethermocouple element, or inductive heating element, which may heat areceptacle having a ferrous lining or insert.

The heating element 44 may be configured to heat to a temperaturesuitable for warming a scented material. The heating element 44 may alsobe configured to only heat to a temperature sufficiently low that thescented material being warmed does not ignite and that the heatingmodule 36 and any other devices near the heating element 44 retainstructural integrity (i.e., do not experience catastrophic failure dueto temperature-induced weakening of the materials from which they areformed). For example, the heating element 44 may be configured to heatto a temperature of between about 45° C. and 70° C. As a continuingexample, the heating element 44 may be configured to heat to atemperature of between about 50° C. and about 60° C. In one nonlimitingexample, heating module 36 may incorporate a power conversion module toreduce household power (e.g., current) input. Another approach isincorporation of a thermocouple in the circuit to remove power fromheating element 44 when the temperature becomes undesirably high.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a perspective view and a cross-sectionalview of an assembly 46 of the lighting module 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 withthe heating module 36 of FIGS. 6 and 7 are shown, respectively. The malethreaded electrical connector 38 of the heating module 36 may bethreadedly engaged with the female threaded electrical connector 18 ofthe lighting module 10. Thus, the assembly 46 may be configured to emitboth light and heat using the lighting module 10 and the heating module36, respectively.

When assembling the assembly 46, the heating module 36 may be positionedover the lighting module 10, and the male threaded electrical connector38 of the heating module 36 may be aligned with the female threadedelectrical connector 18 of the lighting module 10. The heating module 36may be simultaneously lowered and rotated with respect to the lightingmodule 10. Thus, the helically extending protrusion 40 of the malethreaded electrical connector 38 of the heating module 36 may engagewith the helically extending recess 20 of the female threaded electricalconnector 18 of the lighting module 10. As the male threaded electricalconnector 38 of the heating module 36 proceeds downwardly into thefemale threaded electrical connector 18 of the lighting module 10, thecontact 42 of the male threaded electrical connector 38 of the heatingmodule 36 may abut the contact 22 of the female threaded electricalconnector 18 of the lighting module 10 to form a closed electrical path.For example, the electrical connection thus formed may comprise apass-through electrical connection. Thus, electrical power provided tothe male threaded electrical connector 12 of the lighting module 10 maybe transmitted to both the lighting module 10 and the heating module 36,and the components thereof. For example, a single electrical powersource may transmit electrical power to the male threaded electricalconnector 12 of the lighting module 10, the electrical light sources 24of the lighting module 10, the female threaded electrical connector 18of the lighting module 10, the male threaded electrical connector 38 ofthe heating module 36, and the heating element 44 of the heating module36.

Referring to FIG. 10, a simplified cross-sectional view of a scentwarmer 48 is shown. The scent warmer 48 may comprise a base structure50. The base structure 50 may comprise an at least substantially hollowportion 52, which may be configured to receive at least one lightingmodule 10 and at least one heating module 36 at least partially therein.The at least substantially hollow portion 52 may be configured toreceive a plurality of lighting modules 10 in combination with a heatingmodule 36 therein to form a stacked assembly in some embodiments. The atleast substantially hollow portion 52 may define a cavity in which alighting module 10 assembled with a heating module 36, as describedpreviously in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8, may be disposed. Thus, atleast one lighting module 10 and at least one heating module 36 may beat least partially contained within the at least substantially hollowlower portion 52 of the base structure 52.

The at least substantially hollow portion 52 may comprise a translucentmaterial. By way of example, the cover member 26 may comprise atranslucent ceramic material. Accordingly, at least some light emittedby a lighting module 10 within the at least substantially hollow portion52 may pass through the at least substantially hollow lower portion 52.The at least substantially hollow portion 52 may be transparent in someembodiments. In other embodiments, the at least substantially hollowportion 52 may diffuse light emitted by the lighting module 10 such thatonly some of the light passes through the at least substantially hollowportion 52. The translucent material of the at least substantiallyhollow portion 52 may be colored in some embodiments. For example, thetranslucent material of the at least substantially hollow portion 52 mayabsorb at least some wavelengths of visible light while permitting otherwavelengths of light to pass through, thereby imparting a desired hue tothe light that passes through the at least substantially hollow portion52. In other embodiments, the translucent material of the at leastsubstantially hollow portion 52 may be patterned with opaque designs, orwith two or more colors of translucent material.

The base structure 50 may comprise a female threaded electricalconnector 54. The female threaded electrical connector 54 may bedisposed at a lower portion of the base structure 50. Thus, the basestructure 50 may be configured to receive a male threaded electricalconnector 12 of a lighting module 10, a male threaded electricalconnector 38 of a heating module 36, or both in embodiments where thebase structure comprises a plurality of female threaded electricalconnectors 54. The female threaded electrical connector 54 may compriseat least one helically extending recess 56 configured to threadedlyengage and electrically communicate with a helically extendingprotrusion 14 of a male threaded electrical connector 12 of a lightingmodule 10, a helically extending protrusion 40 of a male threadedelectrical connector 38 of a heating module 36, or both. In addition,the female threaded electrical connector 38 may include at least onecontact 58 configured to communicate with a contact 16 of a malethreaded electrical connector 12 of a lighting module 10, a contact 42of a male threaded electrical connector 38 of a heating module 36, orboth to form a closed electrical path. At least a portion of the femalethreaded electrical connector 54 may comprise an electrically conductivematerial and may be in electrical communication with the male threadedelectrical connector 12 of a lighting module 10 or the male threadedelectrical connector 38 of a heating module 36. For example, apass-through electrical connection may provide electrical communicationbetween the male threaded electrical connector 12 of a lighting module10, the male threaded electrical connector 38 of a heating module 36,and the female threaded electrical connector 54 of the base structure50. Thus, a single power source may provide electrical power to the basestructure 50, a lighting module 10 connected to the base structure 50,and a heating module 36 connected to the lighting module 10. In otherwords, a single power source may provide electrical power for theassembled scent warmer 48.

The female threaded electrical connector 54 of the base structure 50 maycomprise a female Edison screw fitting. As a specific, nonlimitingexample, the female threaded electrical connector 54 may comprise astandard E11 Edison screw fitting, which may correspond to a standardcandelabra size Edison screw fitting as used in Europe. As anotherspecific, nonlimiting example, the female threaded electrical connector54 may comprise a standard E27, also known in the art as a standard“ES,” Edison screw fitting, which may correspond to a medium, orstandard, size light bulb Edison screw fitting as used in Europe. Thefemale threaded electrical connector 54 of the base structure 50 maycomprise the same size Edison screw fitting as the male threadedelectrical connector 12 of the lighting module 10, the female threadedelectrical connector 18 of the lighting module 10, and the male threadedelectrical connector 38 of the heating module 36 in some embodiments.Thus, each of the lighting module 10, the heating module 36, and thebase structure 50 may interchangeably connect with one another usingtheir respective male and female threaded electrical connectors 12, 18,38, and 54. In other embodiments, at least one of the female threadedelectrical connector 54 of the base structure 50, the male threadedelectrical connector 12 of the lighting module 10, the female threadedelectrical connector 18 of the lighting module 10, and the male threadedelectrical connector 38 of the heating module 36 may comprise adifferent size Edison screw fitting from at least another of the femalethreaded electrical connector 54 of the base structure 50, the malethreaded electrical connector 12 of the lighting module 10, the femalethreaded electrical connector 18 of the lighting module 10, and the malethreaded electrical connector 38 of the heating module 36. In addition,the base structure 50 may comprise a plurality of female threadedelectrical connectors 54 in some embodiments, enabling a plurality ofheating and lighting modules 36 and 10 (whether assembled together ornot) to be disposed in the cavity of the at least substantially hollowportion 52.

The base structure 50 may comprise a receptacle 60 disposed over the atleast substantially hollow portion 52 for supporting a scented materialduring use of the scent warmer 48. The receptacle 60 may comprise, forexample, an upwardly facing cup-shaped portion in which a scentedmaterial may be disposed. The receptacle 60 may comprise the samematerial as the substantially hollow lower portion 52 and may be formedintegrally with the substantially hollow lower portion 52 in someembodiments. Thus, the substantially hollow lower portion 52 and thereceptacle 60 may form an integral structure.

The base structure 50 may comprise an electrical power source interface62, such as, for example, a standard electrical power plug, inelectrical communication with the female threaded electrical connector54 of the base structure 50. The electrical power source interface 62may extend from a support member 64 of the base structure 50. The femalethreaded electrical connector 54 of the base structure 50 may bedisposed in the support member 64. In addition, the at leastsubstantially hollow portion 52 may be disposed over, and rest on, thesupport member 64. Thus, when assembling the scent warmer 48, a heatingmodule 36 may be threadedly engaged with a lighting module 10, which maybe threadedly engaged with the female threaded electrical connector 54disposed in the support member 64. A hole 66 formed in the bottom of atleast substantially hollow portion 52 may be positioned over and alignedwith the assembly of the heating module 36, the lighting module 10, andthe support member 64. The at least substantially hollow lower portion52 may be lowered, and the assembly of the heating module 36, thelighting module 10, and the support member 64 may be at least partiallypositioned within the cavity defined by the at least substantiallyhollow portion 52. The at least substantially hollow portion 52 may reston and be supported by the support member 64, for example on an annularshoulder 65 surrounding protrusion 67 surrounding female threadedelectrical connector 54. The electrical power source interface 62 may berigidly connected to the support member 64. Thus, the scent warmer 48may be configured to be supported by an electrical power source, suchas, for example, an electrical power socket.

The base structure 50 may optionally comprise a user control interface68. The user control interface 68 may be configured to receive inputfrom a user to alter the operation of the scent warmer 48. For example,the user control interface 68 may comprise a switch that may be used toopen and close the electrical path from the electrical power sourceinterface 62 to the female threaded electrical connector 54 of the basestructure and the other components in electrical communicationtherewith. Thus, the user control interface 68 may enable a user to turnthe scent warmer 48 on and off. In addition, the user control interface68 may be configured to change at least one of intensity of lightemitted by the lighting module 10, color of light emitted by thelighting module 10, and flickering of light emitted by the lightingmodule 10 in response to a user input.

Referring to FIG. 11, a simplified cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of a scent warmer 48′ is shown. The scent warmer 48′comprises a base structure 50 having an at least substantially hollowportion 52 defining a cavity configured to receive at least one lightingmodule 10 and at least one heating module 36 at least partially therein.The at least substantially hollow portion 52 may comprise at least onelight hole 70 formed in a side surface 72 thereof. For example, the atleast substantially hollow portion 52 may comprise a plurality of lightholes 70 through which at least some light is allowed to pass. Thus, theat least substantially hollow portion 52 may be configured to permitlight emitted by the lighting module 10 to pass from an interior of theat least substantially hollow portion 52 to an exterior of the at leastsubstantially hollow portion 52.

The support member 64 of the base structure 50 may be configured to reston a surface of another structure, rather than be supported by rigidconnection to the electrical power source interface 62, in someembodiments. In such embodiments, the electrical power source interfacemay not be rigidly connected to the support member 64. For example, theelectrical power source interface 62 may be physically connected to thesupport member 64 using a conventional, flexible power cordconfiguration.

The base structure 50 may include a receptacle 60 that is removable fromthe at least substantially hollow portion 52. For example, the at leastsubstantially hollow portion 52 may include an upper surface 74 on whichthe receptacle 60 may be disposed during use and an upwardly projectingridge 76 that may retain and align the receptacle 60 on the uppersurface 74. By making the receptacle 60 a separate structure from the atleast substantially hollow lower portion 52, the receptacle 60 may beeasily removed to exchange for another receptacle 60 (e.g., to changethe appearance of the scent warmer 48 or to replace a broken ordefective receptacle 60) or to clean the receptacle 60, for example.

The base structure 50 may comprise an electrical power source interface62, such as, for example, a standard electrical power plug, inelectrical communication with the female threaded electrical connector54 of the base structure 50. The electrical power source interface 62may extend from a support member 64 of the base structure 50. The femalethreaded electrical connector 54 of the base structure 50 may bedisposed in the support member 64. In addition, the at leastsubstantially hollow portion 52 may be disposed over, and rest on, thesupport member 64. Thus, when assembling the scent warmer 48, a heatingmodule 36 may be threadedly engaged with a lighting module 10, which maybe threadedly engaged with the female threaded electrical connector 54disposed in the support member 64. A hole 66 formed in the bottom of atleast substantially hollow portion 52 may be positioned over and alignedwith the assembly of the heating module 36, the lighting module 10, andthe support member 64. The at least substantially hollow portion 52 maybe lowered, and the assembly of the heating module 36, the lightingmodule 10, and the support member 64 may be at least partiallypositioned within the cavity defined by the at least substantiallyhollow portion 52. The at least substantially hollow portion 52 may reston and be supported by the support member 64, for example on an annularshoulder 65 surrounding protrusion 67 surrounding female threadedelectrical connector 54. The electrical power source interface 62 may berigidly connected to the support member 64. Thus, the scent warmer 48may be configured to be supported by an electrical power source, suchas, for example, an electrical power socket.

The base structure 50 may optionally comprise a user control interface68 (not shown in FIG. 11), as described above with respect to FIG. 10.The user control interface 68 may be configured to receive input from auser to alter the operation of the scent warmer 48. For example, theuser control interface 68 may comprise a switch that may be used to openand close the electrical path from the electrical power source interface62 to the female threaded electrical connector 54 of the base structure50 and the other components in electrical communication therewith. Thus,the user control interface 68 may enable a user to turn the scent warmer48 on and off. In addition, the user control interface 68 may beconfigured to change at least one of intensity of light emitted by thelighting module 10, color of light emitted by the lighting module 10,and flickering of light emitted by the lighting module 10 in response toa user input. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, for example, the usercontrol interface may be incorporated in the flexible power cord.

During operation of a scent warmer 48 or 48′, a scented material 78 maybe disposed in the receptacle 60, and electrical power may be providedto the scent warmer 48 or 48′, for example, by connecting the electricalpower source interface 62 to an electrical power source or by providingan input to the user control interface 68 (see FIG. 9). The lightingmodule 10 may emit light, which may pass through to be visible at anexterior of the at least substantially hollow lower portion 52, and theheating module 36 may emit heat due to the electrical power providedthereto. Thus, the heating module 36 may heat the scented material 78 tocause the scented material to release a scent into the surrounding area.For example, the heating module 36 may heat the scented material 78disposed in the receptacle 60 to a temperature of between about 40° C.and 70° C. As a continuing example, heating module 36 may heat thescented material 78 disposed in the receptacle 60 to a temperature ofbetween about 50° C. and about 60° C.

By utilizing a modular lighting and heating approach, modules, such asthe lighting and heating modules 10 and 36 described herein, a scentwarmer 48 or 48′ may be easily assembled by a user. In addition, a scentwarmer 48 or 48′ may be customized by the user, such as, for example, byomitting the lighting module 10 or by providing additional or differentlighting modules 36 or other types of modules, where the various maleand female threaded electrical connectors 12, 18, 38, and 54 are ofcompatible types and sizes. Of course, to provide desired proximity of aheating module 36 to receptacle 60 if a lighting module 10 is notemployed, a spacer module (not shown) of a height corresponding to alighting module and comprising a lower male threaded electricalconnector and an upper female threaded electrical connector withconductive paths therebetween may be installed.

Moreover, the use of interchangeable lighting and heating modules 10 and36 may enable simple repair of a scent warmer 48 or 48′ where, forexample, at least one of the lighting and heating modules 10 and 36 isbroken, is defective, or has otherwise exceeded its useful life. Forexample, a user may easily remove at least one of the lighting module 10and the heating module 36 from a scent warmer 48 or 48′ by disengagingthe male threaded electrical connector 12 or 38 from the respectivefemale threaded electrical connector 18 or 54 with which it wasthreadedly engaged. The removed lighting or heating module 10 or 36 maythen be replaced by another lighting or heating module 10 or 36 byengaging the male threaded electrical connector 12 or 38 with itsrespective female threaded electrical connector 18 or 54.

Furthermore, the use of interchangeable lighting and heating modules 10and 35 may enable a user to retrofit an existing scent warmer byreplacing the existing sources of light and/or heat. A user may retrofita scent warmer by removing an existing source of light and/or heat. Forexample, a user may disengage a male threaded electrical connector(e.g., a standard E12 size Edison screw fitting, which may correspond toa standard candelabra size Edison screw fitting as used in NorthAmerica) of an incandescent lamp, which was acting as a source of bothheat and light, from a female threaded electrical connector of a scentwarmer with which it was threadedly engaged. The user may then replacethe source of light and/or heat with at least one of a lighting moduleand a heating module. For example, the user may threadedly engage a malethreaded electrical connector 12 of a lighting module 10 of an assembly46 of the lighting module 10 and a heating module 36 with the femalethreaded electrical connector of the scent warmer.

While embodiments of the foregoing disclosure have been described in thecontext of the use of threaded male and female electrical connections,these embodiments and the scope of the invention are not so limited. Forexample, other types of electrical connection may be employed, includingwithout limitation bayonet-type electrical connections, keyed-typeelectrical connections, surface contacts, and other suitable connectiontypes. Moreover, the relative disposition of male and female electricalconnectors in the heating and lighting modules, as well as in the basestructure, may be altered. For example, male electrical connectors maybe used on both side of a lighting module, and a heating module providedwith a female electrical connector.

While the present invention has been described herein with respect tocertain embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizeand appreciate that it is not so limited. Rather, many additions,deletions, and modifications to the embodiments described herein may bemade without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafterclaimed, including legal equivalents. In addition, features from oneembodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment whilestill being encompassed within the scope of the invention ascontemplated by the inventor.

Conclusion

In some embodiments, lighting modules for use with a scent warmercomprise at least one electrical light source. A first electricalconnector is in electrical communication with and disposed on a firstside of the at least one electrical light source. A second electricalconnector is disposed on another side of the at least one electricallight source and in electrical communication with the first electricalconnector.

In other embodiments, modular assemblies for use with a scent warmercomprise a lighting module and a heating module. The lighting modulecomprises at least one electrical light source. A first electricalconnector is in electrical communication with and disposed on a firstside of the at least one electrical light source. A second electricalconnector is disposed on another side of the at least one electricallight source and in electrical communication with the first electricalconnector. The heating module comprises a third electrical connectorengaged and in electrical communication with the second electricalconnector of the lighting module. A heating element is located at an endof the heating module opposing the third electrical connector and inelectrical communication with the third electrical connector of theheating module.

In additional embodiments, scent warmers configured to heat a scentedmaterial and emit light comprise a base structure, a lighting module,and a heating module. The base structure comprises an at leastsubstantially hollow portion defining a cavity configured to receive atleast one lighting module and at least one heating module at leastpartially therein, a female electrical connector, and a receptacledisposed over the at least substantially hollow portion for supporting ascented material. The lighting module is at least partially disposed inthe at least substantially hollow portion of the base structure andcomprises at least one electrical light source. A male electricalconnector is engaged and in electrical communication with the femaleelectrical connector of the base structure and disposed on a first sideof the at least one electrical light source. A female electricalconnector is disposed on another side of the at least one electricallight source and in electrical communication with the male electricalconnector. The heating module is at least partially disposed in the atleast substantially hollow portion of the base structure and comprises amale electrical connector engaged and in electrical communication withthe female electrical connector of the lighting module. A heatingelement is in electrical communication with the male electricalconnector of the heating module.

In still other embodiments, methods of forming a lighting module for usewith a scent warmer configured to heat a scented material and emit lightcomprise electrically connecting at least one electrical light source toa male electrical connector on a first side of the at least oneelectrical light source. A female electrical connector on another sideof the at least one electrical light source is electrically connected tothe male electrical connector.

In yet additional embodiments, methods of forming a scent warmercomprise forming a base structure, forming a lighting module, andforming a heating module. Forming a base structure comprises defining acavity configured to receive at least one lighting module and at leastone heating module in an at least substantially hollow lower portion. Areceptacle is configured for supporting a scented material during use ofthe scent warmer to engage an upper portion of the at leastsubstantially hollow lower portion. Forming a lighting module configuredto be at least partially disposed in the at least substantially hollowbase portion comprises electrically connecting at least one electricallight source to a male electrical connector configured to engage afemale electrical connector of the base structure and disposed on afirst side of the at least one electrical light source. A femaleelectrical connector disposed on another side of the at least oneelectrical light source is electrically connected to the male electricalconnector. Forming a heating module configured to be at least partiallydisposed in the at least substantially hollow base portion compriseselectrically connecting a heating element to a male electrical connectorconfigured to engage the female treaded electrical connector of thelighting module.

In further embodiments, methods of assembling a scent warmer configuredto heat a scented material and emit light comprise engaging a maleelectrical connector of a lighting module with a female electricalconnector of a base structure. A male electrical connector of a heatingmodule is engaged with a female electrical connector of the lightingmodule disposed on a side of at least one electrical light source of thelighting module opposing another side on which the male electricalconnector of the lighting module is disposed. A hollow portion of thebase structure is disposed over the heating module and the lightingmodule to rest on a supporting portion of the base structure.

In still further embodiments methods of repairing a scent warmercomprise removing at least one of a lighting module and a heating moduleby disengaging a male electrical connector of the at least one of thelighting module and the heating module from a female electricalconnector with which it was engaged. The at least one of the lightingmodule and the heating module is replaced by engaging a male electricalconnector of at least one of another lighting module and another heatingmodule with the female electrical connector.

In additional embodiments, methods of retrofitting a scent warmercomprise removing an incandescent lamp by disengaging a male threadedelectrical connector of the incandescent lamp from a female electricalconnector with which it was threadedly engaged. The incandescent lamp isreplaced with at least one of a lighting module and a heating module byengaging a male threaded electrical connector of the at least one of alighting module and a heating module with the female threaded electricalconnector.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of assembling a scent warmer configuredto heat a scented material and emit light, comprising: engaging a maleelectrical connector of a lighting module with a female electricalconnector of a base structure; engaging a male electrical connector of aheating module with a female electrical connector of the lightingmodule, the female electrical connector of the lighting module beingdisposed on a side of at least one electrical light source of thelighting module opposing another side on which the male electricalconnector of the lighting module is disposed; and disposing a hollowportion of the base structure over the heating module and the lightingmodule to rest on a supporting portion of the base structure.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising disposing a removable receptacleover the hollow portion of the base structure, the receptacle beingsized and shaped to support a scented material therein.
 3. A method ofrepairing a scent warmer, comprising: removing at least one of alighting module comprising a male electrical connector on a first sideof an electrical light source of the lighting module and a femaleelectrical connector on a second, opposite side of the electrical lightsource of the lighting module, the male electrical connector of thelighting module being in electrical communication with the femaleelectrical connector of the lighting module, and a heating modulecomprising a male electrical connector by disengaging the maleelectrical connector of the at least one of the lighting module and theheating module from a female electrical connector with which it wasengaged; and replacing the at least one of the lighting module and theheating module by engaging a male electrical connector of anotherlighting module with a female electrical connector of a base structureand engaging the male electrical connector of the heating module withthe female electrical connector of the other lighting module or byengaging a male electrical connector of another heating module with thefemale electrical connector of the lighting module.
 4. A method ofretrofitting a scent warmer, comprising: removing an incandescent lampby disengaging a male electrical connector of the incandescent lamp froma female electrical connector of a base structure with which it wasengaged; and replacing the incandescent lamp with a lighting modulecomprising a male electrical connector on a first side of an electricallight source of the lighting module and a female electrical connector ona second opposite side of the electrical light source of the lightingmodule, the male electrical connector of the lighting module being inelectrical communication with the female electrical connector of thelighting module, and a heating module comprising a male electricalconnector by engaging the male electrical connector of the lightingmodule with the female electrical connector of the base structure andengaging the male electrical connector of the heating module with thefemale electrical connector of the lighting module.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein engaging the male electrical connector of the lightingmodule with the female electrical connector of the base structurecomprises engaging the male electrical connector of the lighting modulewith the female electrical connector of the base structure, the at leastone electrical light source of the lighting module being at least one ofat least one light emitting diode (LED) and at least one compactfluorescent lamp (CFL).
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein engaging themale electrical connector of the lighting module with the femaleelectrical connector of the base structure, the at least one electricallight source of the lighting module being at least one of at least onelight emitting diode (LED) and at least one compact fluorescent lamp(CFL), comprises engaging the male electrical connector of the lightingmodule with the female electrical connector of the base structure, theat least one electrical light source of the lighting module being aplurality of LEDS.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein engaging the maleelectrical connector of the lighting module with the female electricalconnector of the base structure comprises electrically connectingcircuitry of the lighting module to the female electrical connector ofthe base structure.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein electricallyconnecting the circuitry of the lighting module to the female electricalconnector of the base structure comprises electrically connectingcircuitry of the lighting module configured to control at least one ofcolor, flickering, and intensity of light of the at least one electricallight source to the female electrical connector of the base structure.9. The method of claim 1, wherein engaging the male electrical connectorof the lighting module with the female electrical connector of the basestructure and engaging the male electrical connector of the heatingmodule with the female electrical connector of the lighting modulecomprise engaging a male Edison screw fitting of the lighting modulewith a female Edison screw fitting of the base structure and engaging amale Edison screw fitting of the heating module with a female Edisonscrew fitting of the lighting module.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinengaging the male electrical connector of the heating module with thefemale electrical connector of the lighting module comprises supportinga weight of the heating module on a translucent or transparent covermember of the lighting module, the cover member structurally connectingthe female electrical connector of the lighting module to the maleelectrical connector of the lighting module, the at least one electricallight source being located within the cover member.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein engaging the male electrical connector of the heatingmodule with the female electrical connector of the lighting modulecomprises engaging the male electrical connector of a heating modulecomprising a resistive heating element configured to heat to atemperature of between about 45° C. and about 70° C. with the femaleelectrical connector of the lighting module.
 12. The method of claim 1,wherein disposing the hollow portion of the base structure over theheating module and the lighting module to rest on the supporting portionof the base structure comprises disposing a hollow portion of the basestructure comprising at least one translucent or transparent region overthe heating module and the lighting module to rest on the supportingportion of the base structure.
 13. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising positioning a scented material in a non-removable receptacleintegral to the hollow portion.
 14. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising positioning a scented material in the removable receptacle.15. The method of claim 3, wherein engaging the male electricalconnector of the other lighting module with the female electricalconnector of the base structure comprises engaging the male electricalconnector of the other lighting module with the female electricalconnector of the base structure, the at least one electrical lightsource of the lighting module being at least one of at least one lightemitting diode (LED) and at least one compact fluorescent lamp (CFL).16. The method of claim 3, wherein replacing the at least one of thelighting module and the heating module by engaging the male electricalconnector of the other lighting module with the female electricalconnector of the base structure and engaging the male electricalconnector of the heating module with the female electrical connector ofthe other lighting module or by engaging the male electrical connectorof the other heating module with the female electrical connector of thelighting module comprises replacing the at least one of the lightingmodule and the heating module by engaging a male Edison screw fitting ofthe other lighting module with a female Edison screw fitting of the basestructure and engaging a male Edison screw fitting of the heating modulewith a female Edison screw fitting of the lighting module or by engaginga male Edison screw fitting of the other heating module with a femaleEdison screw fitting of the lighting module.
 17. The method of claim 3,wherein replacing the at least one of the lighting module and theheating module by engaging the male electrical connector of the heatingmodule with the female electrical connector of the lighting module or byengaging a male electrical connector of another heating module with thefemale electrical connector of the lighting module comprises replacingthe at least one of the lighting module and the heating module byengaging the male electrical connector of the heating module with thefemale electrical connector of the other lighting module, the heatingmodule comprising a resistive heating element configured to heat to atemperature of between about 45° C. and about 70° C., or by engaging amale electrical connector of another heating module with the femaleelectrical connector of the lighting module, the other heating modulecomprising a resistive heating element configured to heat to atemperature of between about 45° C. and about 70° C.
 18. The method ofclaim 4, wherein engaging the male electrical connector of the lightingmodule with the female electrical connector of the base structurecomprises engaging the male electrical connector of the lighting modulewith the female electrical connector of the base structure, the at leastone electrical light source of the lighting module being at least one ofat least one light emitting diode (LED) and at least one compactfluorescent lamp (CFL).
 19. The method of claim 4, wherein engaging themale electrical connector of the lighting module with the femaleelectrical connector of the base structure and engaging the maleelectrical connector of the heating module with the female electricalconnector of the lighting module comprise engaging a male Edison screwfitting of the lighting module with a female Edison screw fitting of thebase structure and engaging a male Edison screw fitting of the heatingmodule with a female Edison screw fitting of the lighting module. 20.The method of claim 4, wherein engaging the male electrical connector ofthe heating module with the female electrical connector of the lightingmodule comprises engaging the male electrical connector of a heatingmodule comprising a resistive heating element configured to heat to atemperature of between about 45° C. and about 70° C. with the femaleelectrical connector of the lighting module.